Let the Farrell speculation begin

With Eric Wedge fired today by the Indians, speculation will heat up as to who the next Indians' skipper might be. And with the Indians coming to town for the conclusion of the 2009 season that speculation will pick up.

Sox pitching coach John Farrell will again be mentioned prominently even with reports that his contract contains language which prohibits him from managing until the 2011 season, a clause first reported by Foxsports.com.

Farrell could end the talk by saying he will honor his Red Sox contract for 2010.

However, as we reported earlier this week and according to one league official, "All it (clause) does is create a compensation opportunity for the Red Sox."

Farrell has been very loyal to the Red Sox and reportedly agreed to have this clause included in his revamped deal which makes him, according to one industry source the "highest-paid or tied with the highest paid") pitching coach in baseball (with St. Louis' Dave Duncan). Farrell is likely to stay.

Farrell was the Indians' farm director before joining the Red Sox and lives in the Cleveland area. He's certainly familiar with some of the Indians' remaining players from his tenure and moving back to where he lives also has to be enticing.

Sox general manager Theo Epstein will not discuss Farrell's personal deal with the Red Sox, but he did indicate that no team has approached the Red Sox about employing one of their coaches. Tim Bogar, Demarlo Hale and Brad Mills could all become candidates this offseason in places like Houston, where Cecil Cooper has already been fired, Baltimore and perhaps Milwaukee, both of which may make moves.